Lions pull away from Washburn, 90-73

Jan 08, 2011

Joplin, Mo. - After trailing by as many as ten in the first half, the Missouri Southern men's basketball team pulled away and led by six at the half en route to a 90-73 win over visiting Washburn today in front of more than 1,600 fans at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

Southern (11-1, 7-1 MIAA) moves into first place by themselves for the time being with Fort Hays still to play tonight. The two teams hook up Monday evening in L&P.

The Lions were led offensively by Skyler Bowlin as the senior scored 30 points on 6-10 from the field and a career-high 16-17 from the free-throw line. Marquis Addison had 17 points and seven steals, while Keane Thomann scored 12 and pulled down seven boards. Jaons Adams scored 11, while Patrick Hester added 10. Jordan Talbert pulled down six boards in the game.

Washburn (7-5, 4-4 MIAA) was led in scoring by 22 points from D'Andre Washington as he knocked down 4-8 from long range. Logan Stutz scored 20 in the defeat.

Despite a hot start shooting from the field for the Ichabods, 64 percent on 16-of-25 shooting, Southern went into the locker room with a 46-40 lead. The Lions got behind by as much at 10 points, 27-17, at the 10:17 mark before making a 15-1 run to take a five point lead, 33-28, at the 6:51 mark. Bowlin made four-of-five free throws during that run while Hester added five and senior Rich Bories added two steals, two free throws and an offensive board during that run. Addison capped the run with a three-pointer and added a steal for the Lions.

Bowlin and Addison scored 13 and 11 points, respectively to lead the Lions in the first half.

Southern pulled ahead by ten twice in the second half, before a dunk from Talbert gave Southern a 17 point lead (71-54) with 9:12 left. The lead was as much as 20 twice, the last being 77-57 after a layup from Adams with six minutes left.

The Lions shot 52 percent from the field and 72 percent from the free-throw line and held a 40-30 advantage in the paint. Southern forced 17 turnovers and scored 30 points off of the miscues, while making a team-high 31 free throws in the win.

The Lions will be back in action this Monday night, playing host to Fort Hays at 7:30 in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.